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Living & Travelling Turkey — Real Experiences, Practical Advice

William Julian Bullock is a British traveller based in Çankırı, Turkey, sharing honest first-hand stories, off-the-beaten-path discoveries, and the practical knowledge that only comes from actually living here.

William Julian Bullock — author portrait
The Author
Based in Çankırı, Turkey

Hello — I'm William Julian Bullock

I've been living in Çankırı, a small provincial city in the heart of Anatolia, for over six years now. Turkey is where I eat breakfast watching mist roll off the steppe, where I've worn out three pairs of boots on mountain trails that don't appear in any guidebook, and where I've learned more about hospitality from a shepherd offering çay than from any hotel concierge.

This blog is entirely independent. No sponsored posts, no affiliate pressure, no paid placements. Every restaurant I recommend I've paid for myself. Every route I describe I've walked — or occasionally got lost on — in person. I write what actually works on the ground, for real travellers who want to go deeper than the Bosphorus cruise and the Blue Mosque selfie.

📍Resident since 2018✍️No sponsored content🥾40+ provinces visitedFluent in çay culture
Featured Stories

Stories Worth Reading Twice

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Getting a Turkish SIM Card on Arrival
Practical Tips5 min read

Getting a Turkish SIM Card on Arrival

Skip the roaming charges. Here's exactly where to buy, which carrier to trust, and what to say at the counter.

Cankiri: Why You Should Visit Turkey's Forgotten Capital
Off the Beaten Path8 min read

Cankiri: Why You Should Visit Turkey's Forgotten Capital

Few tourists ever find it on a map. Fewer still make the trip. But Çankırı rewards the curious traveller with history, salt caves, and genuine hospitality.

Navigating Turkish Bazaars Without Getting Overcharged
Food & Markets6 min read

Navigating Turkish Bazaars Without Getting Overcharged

The Grand Bazaar is magnificent and merciless. A few simple strategies will save you money and make the whole experience far more enjoyable.

Fresh from the Road

Recent Articles

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Ferry Routes on the Bosphorus: A Complete Guide to Crossing Between Continents
Getting Around12 June 20258 min read

Ferry Routes on the Bosphorus: A Complete Guide to Crossing Between Continents

The ferries connecting Europe and Asia are more than transport — they're a daily ritual for Istanbullus and one of the city's great pleasures for visitors.

The Best Pide Spots Outside Tourist Zones: Where Locals Actually Eat
Food & Drink28 May 20256 min read

The Best Pide Spots Outside Tourist Zones: Where Locals Actually Eat

Pide is Turkey's answer to pizza, and the versions served far from the tourist trail bear almost no resemblance to what you'll find near the Grand Bazaar.

Renting a Car in Turkey: Everything You Need to Know Before You Drive
Practical Travel14 May 202510 min read

Renting a Car in Turkey: Everything You Need to Know Before You Drive

Turkey's roads range from silky new motorways to mountain tracks where Google Maps confidently leads you off a cliff. Here's how to navigate the rental process.

Turkey's Seasonal Weather Guide: When to Go and What to Expect
Planning3 May 20257 min read

Turkey's Seasonal Weather Guide: When to Go and What to Expect

Turkey spans three climate zones and one geography never tells the whole story. Coastal sunshine in April while Van is still under snow — this is the reality.

Turkish Phrases Every Traveller Needs (And How to Actually Pronounce Them)
Culture & Language19 April 20255 min read

Turkish Phrases Every Traveller Needs (And How to Actually Pronounce Them)

Turkish pronunciation is more logical than it looks. Learn these twenty phrases and you'll move through the country with more warmth and goodwill than any guidebook can buy.

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WILLIAM
JULIAN
BULLOCK

One Traveller's Honest Guide to Turkey — Stories, Tips & Hidden Gems. Real experiences, no filters.

Turkey, Explored Honestly.

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© 2026 WILLIAM JULIAN BULLOCK. All rights reserved.

Crafted with curiosity and a love for Turkey's endless stories.